Ash Holes

A coalition of 125 environmental groups has filed a petition with the U.S. EPA, asking it to immediately halt the dumping of waste ash from coal-fired power plants. They claim the ash contains a variety of toxins and pollutes ground, surface, and drinking water. The EPA promised in 2000 to develop regulations but has yet to take any action; a spokesperson said that the agency is waiting for the National Academy of Sciences to complete a study in 18 months so they can review its findings. Meanwhile, 130 million tons of waste ash are produced annually. Said Lisa Graves Marcucci, director of a coalition member group, “EPA’s legacy to my children and community shouldn’t be cancer, learning disabilities, or other health problems simply because they wouldn’t take precautionary steps to protect us.”